Category Archives: Health

May26

How Bluetooth Is Enabling Healthier Lifestyles

Posted on by
Standard
How Bluetooth Is Enabling Healthier Lifestyles

Bluetooth technology transformed the phone market several years ago by allowing people to connect more devices to their smartphones wirelessly. It’s now entering the health sector and creating powerful changes there as well. Here’s what’s happening:

Seamlessly synchronizing biometrics 24/7:

One of the most underrated impacts of Bluetooth and its effect on enabling healthier lifestyles is how it’s seamlessly synchronising biometrics for people 24/7. Anyone who is wearing a device or going for workouts now knows that they can log all of their data on a simple app, all powered by Bluetooth.

Smartwatches, fitness bands, and other types of wearables use this technology for things like continuous oxygen-level monitoring and heart rate variability. The amount of data that can now be gleaned by the combination of sensors and Bluetooth is extraordinary, and brands are combining it with intelligent AI software to provide integrated dashboards to consumers.

Upgrading home care preventative health measures:

Another way Bluetooth is enabling healthier lifestyles is by bridging the gap between home wellness and clinical medicine. For example, it’s now possible to connect vital measurements like blood pressure, weight, and temperature to phones and cloud software. 

In addition to this, Bluetooth hearing aids are being equipped with emergency fall alert technology. These features are particularly helpful for older people who may be living at home and at risk of falling.

What’s interesting about these latest technologies is that they don’t rely on single data points taken once a year at a doctor’s office. Instead, Bluetooth technology allows trends to be tracked over many weeks and months, building a fuller picture of a person’s state of overall health.

Improving chronic condition management:

The effects of connected Bluetooth technology on chronic condition management are nothing short of extraordinary. The rise of continuous glucose monitors for people with diabetes means they can now get alerts on their phones for when they should take insulin or when they’ve eaten a meal with too much sugar in it. There are also smart inhalers that track usage patterns and geographic triggers. These can help patients figure out what might be causing their asthma attacks and provide them with more information on when they should take their inhalers to open up their airways.

Making hearing health more accessible:

Another change you might have noticed is the improvements in hearing health. Bluetooth is making hearing health gadgets more accessible and changing how people interact with their environments. For example, it’s now possible for individuals to stream audio from public screens in airports and railway stations. This streaming eliminates the need to interpret sounds through the microphone first, making sounds clearer and easier to perceive.

This is also being used to create more smart environments. Healthy living isn’t just about moving bodies. It’s also about the air people breathe and the environment that they live in. Bluetooth air quality monitoring can track CO2 levels, volatile organic compounds, and allergens. It can also implement automated fixes to HVAC systems and smart ventilation technologies.

Are you synced up to Bluetooth to monitor your health? It can only help!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

May25

How To Handle The Emotions Of Hearing Loss

Posted on by
Standard
How To Handle The Emotions Of Hearing Loss

There is no doubt that any kind of hearing loss can have a big impact on your life. But it is not only the day-to-day practical side of life that it affects, it also takes its toll emotionally as well. A sense of helplessness and depression is common. Let’s look closer at a few of the ways that you can put yourself in a better position to handle the emotional side of hearing loss:

Don’t Hide Your Feelings:

Whether your hearing loss is sudden or gradual, there is certainly a sense of mourning involved. To support yourself through this grieving process, turn to your friends and family for support. Rely on the people who are closest to you in your life and express to them what you are going through as clearly as you can. You may also find that it is helpful to talk your feelings through with a therapist.

Make Communication Simpler:

Of course, you are never going to get used to hearing loss instantly. Older people, in particular, tend to wait longer than they should to get treatment as they find it difficult to accept the loss. Hearing loss tends to have an isolating effect as people find social situations so much more challenging than they once did. Whenever you are speaking to people, you can help the situation by turning down background noise like the television or radio. You can also ask people to speak slowly and clearly, and face them at all times so that you can see their mouth and gestures. Essentially, do everything you can to make your life that little bit easier.

Understand Your Options:

The more that you learn about the process of hearing loss, the more you can ease your anxiety and start to feel better. There are plenty of resources that you can use and advice that you can follow from an audiologist or ear, nose, and throat doctor. Find out about the common treatment options that are out there with a local hearing exam, the support groups in your area, and what sort of medical checkups you need to have on a regular basis.

Stay Realistic:

Even though hearing devices are so much more advanced than they once were, they are not instant cures. It takes a while before your brain adjusts to the sound coming through them, and in many ways, the process involves learning to listen all over again. Stay realistic in the challenge you have in front of you and be prepared to exercise some patience.

There is no pretending that hearing loss is going to be an easy thing to go through, but these are just a few of the ways that you can better handle the emotional side of it so that you can live a life that remains as rich and fulfilling as possible.      

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar2

Hearing Loss From Noise Exposure: How Loud Is Too Loud?

Posted on by
Standard
Hearing Loss From Noise Exposure: How Loud Is Too Loud?

Everyone loses their hearing a bit as they get older. However, some people experience much more drastic hearing loss at a younger age – often as a direct result of noise exposure. It’s important to identify when things get too loud so that you can take steps to either protect your ears or turn down the volume. Below is more information on exactly how loud noise damages the ears, how to identify unhealthy noise levels, and how to preserve your hearing:

How does noise exposure cause hearing loss?

Our auditory system is complex and delicate. Hair cells within our ears are responsible for picking up sound waves. When the vibrations are too strong for extended periods, these hair cells and their connected nerve endings can die. Some noises can even be so loud that they instantly rupture our ear drums, leading to instant hearing loss. While sometimes hearing can return, damage can often be permanent.

How loud is too loud?

Our hearing starts to become damaged once sounds reach 85 decibels. As the volume exceeds this, hearing damage occurs more quickly. Below are a few different decibel levels, what they equate to, and how quickly hearing loss occurs:

Safe volume:

  • 60 decibels: Normal speaking volume
  • 65 decibels: Dishwasher in next room
  • 70 decibels: Vacuum cleaner
  • 75 decibels: Busy restaurant
  • 80 decibels: Alarm clock

Hearing damage occurs within hours of prolonged exposure:

  • 85 decibels: Food blender
  • 90 decibels: Lawnmower
  • 95 decibels: Hand drill

Hearing damage occurs within minutes of prolonged exposure:

  • 100 decibels: Factory machinery
  • 105 decibels: Helicopter up close
  • 110 decibels: Rock concert
  • 115 decibels: Chainsaw

Instant hearing loss:

  • 120+ decibels: Jet engines, fireworks, gunshots

Signs noise exposure is causing hearing loss:

If you notice ringing in your ears, it’s a sign that hearing damage has already occurred. This ringing can often go away if you make sure to take a break from loud noises the next day, but could become permanent if you keep exposing yourself to loud noise. Muffled hearing is another sign that permanent damage has taken place. If you notice yourself struggling to hear people in conversations, turning up the volume higher on the TV, or not hearing people calling your name, it might be worth seeing an audiologist and getting your hearing checked. Hearing aids can help to restore some hearing, while treatment may also be possible for tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

How to protect your hearing:

Make sure to wear ear protection in loud environments – this could include ear defenders or earplugs. There are specialist earplugs that you can buy for music events that can quieten noise while still providing some clarity. Otherwise, if you can, try to limit time spent in loud environments. When listening to music on headphones, you should also try to avoid listening to music at overly loud levels (many devices will now warn you if the volume is too loud). When buying power tools and appliances, look into quieter options that can help to reduce your exposure to loud noise and wear ear protection when operating.

Hear loud and clear with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb23

How To Sharpen Up Your Senses

Posted on by
Standard
How To Sharpen Up Your Senses

Like the old saying goes: You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. This is certainly true of your senses, which is why it is so important to look after all five of them in the best way that you can. In this blog post, we will give you a general overview of how you can protect them so that these senses can always stay sharp:

Sight:

Beyond the age of 45, your eyes tend to dry out resulting in light sensitivity, blurry vision, and burning eyes. A diet rich in omega-3s such as fish or walnuts can help to keep this condition at bay. You can also get prescription drops as a way of stimulating tear production. Taking supplements such as vitamin C can help to prevent cataracts in the future. You should also try to avoid prolonged sun exposure by taking regular breaks and investing in a good pair of sunglasses for driving or outings.

Smell:

The older you get, the weaker your sense of smell becomes. You should be aiming to minimize your contact with smoke and household chemicals. There is also some evidence that the more you seek out different scents, the better you can protect your sense of smell. A couple of things that you could include in this sniffing exercise include peppermint and cinnamon. You could also make potpourris to place throughout your home to help keep your sniffer strong.

Taste:

The first thing that you should do to protect your sense of taste is practice good oral hygiene. This will help to keep your tongue in good condition and protect your taste buds from infections. Though there isn’t much that you can do to reclaim your sense of taste, what you can do is add extra spices and flavorings to your food. If you find that you are suffering from a dry mouth, you should aim to reduce your intake of dehydrating substances like caffeine and alcohol.   

Hearing:

You should have a hearing test if you notice any issues or if you simply want to gain some peace of mind. Prevention is important when it comes to hearing, so you should wear protective devices when you are exposed to any loud noises. Don’t listen to music through headphones at too loud a volume or for too long. If you have already damaged your hearing, you should speak to your doctor about being fitted with a hearing aid.

Touch:

As you start to get older, your skin becomes less elastic and you are likely to lose sensitivity over time. A few of the ways that you can help to prevent it include a healthy lifestyle full of regular exercise, a low-fat diet, and not smoking. Taking aspirin will dilate blood vessels and improve circulation therefore increasing stimulation of the dermis.

Of course, age-related sensory decline is an inevitable fact of life, but there are plenty of ways that you can protect all five of them in the best way possible. Following some of the advice in this article is a great starting point!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb23

Are You Looking After Your Hearing Right?

Posted on by
Standard
Are You Looking After Your Hearing Right?

Protecting your hearing is a huge part of protecting both your mental and physical health and there are a lot of things you might want to think about to ensure that you are doing this effectively. In this post, we are going to consider some of the main ways in which you can look after your hearing with best practices you can start today. Like the following:

Slow Fading:

Hearing loss is rarely dramatic at first. It tends to creep in. High-frequency sounds usually fade before lower tones, which means consonants like “s,” “f,” and “th” become harder to distinguish. Conversations start to sound muffled, especially in places with background noise. You may still hear that someone is speaking, but clarity drops away. The brain works overtime to fill in the gaps. That mental effort can be surprisingly exhausting. Many people attribute the fatigue to stress or poor sleep, never suspecting that straining to hear is draining cognitive energy throughout the day.

Noise Is Louder Than You Think:

You do not need to stand next to jet engines to risk damage. Prolonged exposure to everyday noise can be enough. Traffic, construction, power tools, loud gyms, concerts, and even constant headphone use all contribute. A good rule of thumb is this: If you need to raise your voice to be heard at arm’s length, the environment is probably too loud for prolonged exposure. The same applies to headphones. If someone sitting next to you can hear your music clearly, it is too loud. If you are using them for hours a day, even moderate volume can become an issue over time.

^^^ Pexels Image

Importance Of Hearing Tests:

One of the most overlooked parts of hearing care is simply having a hearing test. Many people wait until they notice a clear problem, but by that stage, changes may have been happening for years. A professional hearing test is quick, painless, and far more detailed than most expect. It measures how well you hear different frequencies and volumes, identifying patterns that might indicate early-stage loss, noise damage, or other issues. Even if your hearing is currently fine, a baseline test gives you something to compare against in the future.

Small Habits:

Looking after your hearing does not require drastic change. Often, it is about consistent small habits. Lower the volume on personal devices and use noise-cancelling headphones rather than turning music up to drown out background sound. Wear proper ear protection when using power tools or attending loud events. Give your ears rest periods after exposure to high noise levels. Be mindful of ear hygiene too. Cotton buds can push wax deeper into the ear canal, potentially causing blockages. If you suspect excess wax, professional removal is safer than attempting to clear it yourself. Hydration, general cardiovascular health, and avoiding smoking also play a role. The inner ear relies on healthy blood flow, and what benefits your heart often benefits your hearing as well.

Can you hear me now? Good! Keep it that way with these tips!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb21

How Technology Has Changed The Performance Of Modern Hearing Aids

Posted on by
Standard
How Technology Has Changed The Performance Of Modern Hearing Aids

The technology within many of the modern hearing aids nowadays is incredible. It’s a lot different from the older versions, some one or two decades ago. Modern hearing aids have been transformed by AI, Bluetooth, and advanced signal processing. It’s shifted from simple amplification to intelligent and personalized sound enhancement. In this guide, we’ll take a look at how technology has changed when it comes to the performance of modern hearing aids and how they’re something to be sought after, rather than avoided by people who need them:

Artificial intelligence and machine learning:

AI enables hearing aids to learn user preferences, whilst automatically adjusting settings in real-time. It helps you to switch from a quiet room to a busy street without needing to do anything. AI hearing aids are certainly the future of hearing aid technology.

Advanced noise reduction and directional microphones:

With modern devices, they analyze sound in real time in order to reduce background noise and instead focus on speech. It allows the user better hearing in complex and noisy environments.

Rechargeable batteries:

Modern hearing aids now eliminate the need for small, disposable batteries. Instead, users benefit from rechargeable hearing aids that can be charged overnight while you sleep. It provides all-day power, which is highly beneficial for uninterrupted audio experiences.

Smart apps and personalization:

With modern hearing aids, it works with smartphone apps that allow users to fine-tune sound, adjust volume, and help to monitor battery levels directly too.

Health tracking and biometrics:

Some advanced models will include sensors that monitor physical activity, analyze environmental data, and track your heart rate, too. These insights can be great for improving your overall health and not just your hearing.

Telehealth and remote fitting:

Audiologists are now able to adjust hearing aid settings remotely. It removes the need for in-person appointments for any minor tweaks that need to happen, which is helpful for those who might not live near an audiologist or hearing center.

Smaller and discreet designs:

With smaller and discreet designs, you’re getting a more comfortable and less noticeable device.

Signs you need a hearing aid or two:

There are some tell-tale signs that you need a hearing aid or two. Such signs include the following:

  • Difficulty with conversations – Frequently asking people to repeat themselves.
  • Volume adjustment – Turning up the TV or radio to levels that are too loud.
  • Muffled sound – Voices and surrounding sounds are muffled or unclear.
  • Tinnitus – Persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears.
  • Social withdrawal – Avoiding social situations as it’s too exhausting or difficult to keep up with conversations.
  • Fatigue – Feeling stressed after conversations and fatigued as your brain is working harder to understand sounds.

Technology has changed the performance of modern hearing aids, so explore what they could do for you if you need them in the future!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Feb20

How To Stop Stressing Over Your Age

Posted on by
Standard
How To Stop Stressing Over Your Age

Getting older is something that happens to everyone. In fact, it’s a sign that you’ve been successful. Once you reach the age of 50, 60, 70 or beyond you have survived a long time in an otherwise difficult world. But people have many problems when it comes to their age. They often look at it the wrong way. If you’re somebody who’s stressing about their age and worried about getting older then this post is for you. We are going to look at some strategies you can use to reduce the stress you feel and really enjoy your life day to day:

Reframe aging as a privilege:

The first thing to do is to reframe aging as a privilege. This was something that we hinted at in the introduction. Instead of seeing birthdays as the next stage in the inevitable march through life, you can look at them more as success stories or milestones. Getting to a specific age is actually quite an achievement, especially once you start getting into the higher numbers. If you can reframe how you look at the situation, then you can totally control how you feel about it.

Focus on the things you can control:

Another thing you can do is stop pretending that aging is something you can control. You can’t actually map and manage the time passing on the calendar, but you can intervene in your lifestyle to change how you feel and function. Many people forget all about aging once they improve their exercise routine, stress management, nutrition, sleep, and skincare. Combining all of these factors often slows down the aging process significantly. It can also change the nature of the aging process so that it doesn’t lead to chronic disease and dysfunction.

^^^ Unsplash Image

Get the treatment you need:

Sometimes, feeling less stressed about the aging process is simply getting the treatment that you need. For example, if you have hearing loss, go to the audiologist and ask for hearing aids. Similarly, if you struggle to walk or you have physiological problems, you can get a trainer to improve muscle strength. You should find that once you’ve got this treatment, it has a meaningful and lasting effect on your life. It makes a profound difference to how you approach things.

Practice being present or mindful:

Worrying about aging also often means worrying about the future. Therefore, it’s a good idea to practice being present or mindful. Many people get to a certain age and wonder why their lives aren’t turning out the way they wanted them to. They stress about the things that they should have done differently in the past. Being present is the best way to counter this sort of thought process. If you can focus on what you’re doing now, you often discover that your life is much better than what you thought.

So there you have it – some of the things you can do to stop stressing about the ageing process. Looking at the positives and accepting what’s happening is often the best approach!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Feb20

Early Signs Of Hearing Loss Every 20 Something Should Know

Posted on by
Standard
Early Signs Of Hearing Loss Every 20 Something Should Know

Anyone can lose their hearing. No matter how old you are or how healthy you feel, your hearing can be affected by your day to day activities. Too much loud noise at home, in the workplace, or coming through your headphones and you could be dealing with a lower level of hearing. And for some people, genetics play a role in causing hearing loss at a younger age. It’s a complex thing, and it’s something to keep an eye out for so you can act in time. As such, here are some of the most common early signs of hearing loss that you should know about as a young adult:

Everything Needs Turning Up Higher:

Have you started needing to turn the volume up on your phone, tablet, or TV much louder than you used to? Say you always had the volume set to fifteen and that was fine, but these days you need it at twenty and above. Dialogue just doesn’t feel all that easy for you to parse anymore. It could be an issue with the device itself, of course. It could also be a problem with the way the sound was recorded for whatever media you’re watching. But it could also be a sign your hearing has been impacted.

People Keep Saying You’re Being Loud:

Are you noticing that more and more people are saying you’re talking quite loudly, but you didn’t even realize? That could be a sign of hearing loss, especially if no one really said anything like this to you before. Or alternatively, you think you’re speaking at a normal volume, but everyone’s suddenly telling you that you’re being really quiet. Both of these things can, in fact, be a sign of hearing loss. And when it comes to difficulties in general conversation, a trip to the audio doctor is the next best thing to plan. After all, you could be in need of hearing aids. And if you do, there’s no need to worry. There are plenty of different styles and options to suit your ears, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Plus, your audiologist will be there to walk you through choosing a set that’s right for you.

You’ve Stopped Noticing Background Noise:

It’s hard to notice when you’re not noticing something – that’s why it’s called ‘background noise’. But if you’re never noticing when there’s some sound going on around you, it could be another sign you’re dealing with a form of hearing loss. Maybe cafes aren’t as loud as they used to be, as you haven’t really heard much chatter going on around you? And what about when you’re on the bus to work – does the sound of the bus sound as loud as it used to? The next time you get the chance, focus on the background and see what you’re picking up.

Hearing loss can creep up on you, and it can happen at any age. Pay attention to signs like these to prevent the problem from getting worse!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Feb20

5 Technologies That Can Improve Your Health

Posted on by
Standard
5 Technologies That Can Improve Your Health

There’s no doubt that technology is making our lives easier – but the right tools can also make us healthier! If your priority is to look after your health, form better habits, and improve your living space, some technologies can make it easier to improve your well being and prevent future health problems. In this guide, we’ll look at a few investments worth making this year. Let’s dive in:

Wearables:

Wearable devices like smartwatches play a key role in helping you take better charge of your health. They can help you track essential indicators such as step counts, heart rate, stress levels, sleep quality, and more. Some specific devices, such as wearable alarms, can also improve safety levels among older people and those with mobility limitations. Make sure to find the best model for your needs and consult a doctor to understand how to best use your wearable technology to support your health.

Smart Home Technology:

Smart home devices can create a healthier home that fosters healthy habits. As well as adding convenience to everyday life, these technologies can help you control temperature, lighting, air quality, and safety features. Some investments worth making for your health and well being include:

  • Air Purifiers: Improve indoor air quality, reducing the risk of allergies and respiratory issues.
  • Smart Thermostats: Maintain temperatures for better sleep quality and overall comfort.
  • Smart Lighting: Support healthy sleep cycles and mood regulation.
  • Voice-Activated Assistants: Help with reminders for hydration, exercise, medication, and provide hands-free emergency assistance.
  • Sleep Trackers: Monitor sleep patterns for better sleep health.

AI Hearing Aids:

Did you know that unaddressed hearing loss can lead to significant complications, including an increased risk of dementia? However, deciding to wear hearing aids is not always an easy choice, as it can impact your confidence and comfort. Thankfully, newer models are less noticeable, more efficient, and fully adjustable. For instance, AI hearing aids can adapt to different sound environments, filter out background noise, and even learn your listening preferences, making communication much easier and natural.

Telemedicine Platforms:

Telemedicine has been a game changer for both healthcare providers and patients. Over the past few years, it has contributed to overcoming common barriers to treatment, including long travel distances, childcare or eldercare, busy schedules, and mobility limitations. Telemedicine allows you to consult specialists within your area and beyond from the comfort and privacy of your home. Patient portals can also help in scheduling appointments, getting test results, asking questions to your provider, and repeating prescriptions as directed. Consult your primary healthcare provider to understand what telemedicine systems they offer.

Digital Mental Health Tools:

Last but not least, technology can help in supporting mental health, too. Thanks to guided meditation apps, online therapy platforms, and support from mental health professionals available via chat or video calls, getting support at any stage of life is easier than it has ever been. Be sure to explore the best tools to boost your health and make calculated investments in the technologies that can provide support in the long term.

Improve your life and health with the technology above and you will be sure to notice a huge difference!

Featured Image By: Freepik

Dec24

A Little Update

Posted on by
Standard
A Little Update

Hi there! I wanted to give everyone a little update on something health related so buckle in. I am HPV positive and for the past two years I have needed a biopsy of my cervix. A few weeks ago I had my second biopsy and it was unpleasant but doable. All that was left to do was wait for the results and I got them in last week. The results showed fragments that did not show up on my pap smear and I will need to repeat a biopsy and pap in a half a year. It might be HPV related and resolve itself or it could be pre-cancer/cancer cells that will require a surgery on my cervix to remove.

Although it was scary to hear, I consider this a best case scenario result. It could either be nothing or it could be something that has a surefire way of being treated. I think that’s very lucky and I am so thankful. This is not a post looking for sympathy, but a post to serve as a gentle reminder to take your health seriously. Do not ignore your gynecological care. Attend your appointments, commit to the doctor’s orders, and be proactive in asking questions and voicing concerns. Cervical cancer is, blessedly, treatable but it is up to you to get a head start. Regular appointments means finding problems early which will increase the success of the treatment even more.

I would be a liar if I said that the first few days after my doctor called me with the results weren’t difficult. They were and I felt really sad. However, I am feeling much better after having time to sit with these emotions. The most helpful thing for me has been repeating a mantra in my head and to Johnny too. It goes a little something like this: It’s either nothing or it will be treated. Those are the facts and focusing on them has kept my mind from wandering to worst case scenarios. It’s so easy for your brain to go haywire when you get not so great news and fact driven self talk restored my sanity. ❤

In conclusion, everything is A-okay. While lifewithlilred is full of fashion and fun, it’s about my life too and I just wanted all of my dear friends and readers to be updated. I love you all!

Do you have a mantra you repeat? How do you engage in positive self talk? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah